Continuous automatic concrete mixer



- M. F. HORST CONTINUOUS AUTOMATIQCONGRETE. MIXER Filed Aug. 4. 192 s 2 Sheets- Sheet l v INVENTOR.

Mzzromfifiopsf BY ww ATTORNEY.

3 1 v 1 626 830 927 M. .F. HORST w cournwous AUTOMATIC CONCRETE luxsa Filed Aug; 4. 1926 U 2 Sheets-Shept 6:] Q ATTORNEY,

Patented May 3, 1927.

MI 'non E. nons'r, oELos AnsEilE s, canmoanm.

CONTINUOUS auwonit'mo CONCRETE MIXER.

Application filed Au ste 132e, s m n 12730 My invention relates to an apparatus for thoroughly and effectively mixing concrete, which apparatus may be of the stationary type, but preferably portable, and positionedon a truck or any desired form, either operated: by its own power or by any draft appliance, actuated either by animals or motor, and moreparticularly comprises-air improvement on the construction disclosed me November 18, 1924, for a' continuous automatic concrete mixer. i

It accordingly is an object of mydnvelr tion to provide a novel form oi concrete mixer, pre'lerablyofi portable form, inwhich sets off applianees are provided for automatically lifti the concrete materials; giving thema preliminary mixing,thenthor oughly and efiectively agitating said ma terials in anovel "form ott'inixi'ng chamber bymeans of sets of stationary and movable mixing elements, which elements insure a thorough mixing of saidmaterials, in a dry state, and an additionalmixingg while in a wet state, the; resulting wet'miX-ture being conveyed to any elevated or distant point "found practice desirable. f It is also within the province of my invention to provide a means in the form of a clutch whereby one of 'the littingmeans, for example that used for elevating the gravel, may, when desired, be placedout of commission so that a surface concrete comprising sand and cement onlymay be-prepared. p i A further object of my invention is to provide a novel form of mixing or agitating element, which ma takethe shape of a pivoted rev'erse'ly positioned, shallow curved platefor set of such plates, each plate being equipped with a hinged portion,springcontrolled, to coac't with set of stationary elements, "also of warped, shallow and curved construction, to theend that the concrete materials are thoroughlyagitated and mixed, and that under no circumstances will said elements] be subject to 'injuryin case an obstruction, such as a rock or pebble, should become lodged b'etween saidfelements, or between said elements and fir walls of the mixing chamber. Another object of my invention isto pro.- jn iQYsl'ms i 9? tset 1 w s in my prior, Patent #l,516,293, granted to Inatic mixed discharge means whereby the IQIXGCL concrete may belitted "storyby' story to. the top of a building, or to anyfdesiiied point of'discharge l 5 It' 's moreover within the province of my inyention to'pi'ovide a-speci'al means for op erating the movable, mixing elements, which may take the form of'a' motor'operated master gear, which is in n1 esl1,witl1pini'ons associated with said elements whereby they may be operated in unison.

It also an object of my invention to provide a novel structure whereby the co1rorete discharge means, preferably in the form of automatically, operated conveyors, may be swungf in any preferred arc, and positioned or anchored at any convenient point,onabuildingor other place, the mixed concrete'being' -thus elevated to the point of use or any other distant point desired,

It is also an objectof myinvention to provide a? novel form of concrete mixer which simple in character, composed of a minimum number of parts, not easy to get out of "order, thoroughly reliable and efiicient inoperation, and one which will thoroughly andreliably effectthe objects intended.

Further objects and advantages of my in vention will become more apparent as the description thereof proceeds.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in. which similar reference char actersdenote similar parts. In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a broken side elevationof the preferred form of'my apparatus,

- n Fig, 2 is a top plan view of Fi 1.

Fig. 3 isfan enlarged cross-sectional View of Fig. 1,ta ken"0n the line 3-3, and lookingin't hedirection of the arrows,

Fig; rise" fragmentary detail sectional viewftaken' on the line 4 4; Fig. 2, also lookingin the direction of the arrows,

"Fig. 5Q'is an enlarged detail section on the line 5-5, Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. (5 is'atop plan view otthe mixing chamber, on a somewhat smaller scale than Fig"? '1, with the cover removed, Fig, 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional detail viewtaken on the line, 7 -7,

look ng in the directionofi the'ariq g p Fig. 8 is a similar view on the line 8-8, Fig. 2,

Fig. 9 is an elevational View of thQ,I118Cl1- anism for transmitting the movement of one of the concrete discharging conveyers t the other so that both may be swung about on an are or in anyway desired, especially when it is desired to add units to provide for increased elevation,

Fig. is an enlarged detail view of a suggestive form of clutch that may be used for putting out of commission one of the lifting conveyers, and

Fig. 11 is a section on line 1111, Fig. 9.

Describing my invention more in detail, the purpose of my invention is to pI'OVide an apparatus for receiving the concrete .materials, such as sand, cement, and gravel, lift each individually into a chamber where they are given a preliminary mixing, and then thoroughly agitate and mix said materials in a dry state, and finally mixing them wet, after which the mixed concrete in a wet state is conveyed to any point of discharge, so that when it is discharged there will be insured that the various materials or ingredients are thoroughly commingled.

As seen in Figs. 1 and 2, my improved apparatus is preferably made portable and mounted on a truck 2, drawn either by its own motor mounted thereon, or drawn by draft in any manner in practice found desirable. On the truck 2 is mounted in any preferred manner and of any desired c011- struction, a frame work t consisting of suitable plates, bars, braces and the like, riveted or bolted or thoroughly secured together with additional plates, or without, or with angle irons, or in any manner found in practice desirable, and secured to the frame work i is a casing 6 of suitable construction, but preferably annular in form, and braced and supported in position as desired.

The casing 6 has an outer preferably circular wall 8 and an inner similarly shaped wall 10 spaced therefrom and fixed to the frame work f as above indicated, and also may be provided with a cover or closure 12. As seen more particularly in Fig. 7, between the walls 8 and 10 of the casing 6 a rotatable bottom 14; is positioned, said bottom being adapted to be rotated between said walls for the purpose of conveying the mixed concrete material to the outlet hereinafter more fully described. Said bottom is rotated by means of any desired number of braces or operating elements 16 associated in any preferred manner with said bottom and a rotatable vertically positioned shaft 18 presently to be more particularly identified.

Positioned within the mixing chamber or casing 6 at suitably spaced points is a series of stationary mixing elements 20, which elements are secured to the walls 8 and 10 in any manner in practice found desirable, and depending within said casing is a cir cular series of rotatable agitating or mixing elements 22, each preferably positioned between the stationary elements 20, and in close proximity with the rotating bottom 14:, which bottom, if desired, or the casing itself, may be suitably packed to prevent leakage.

Each stationary mixing element 20 is of warped, shallow curved form so as to facilitate agitating and mixing of the concrete materials, and also to prevent the lodging of any of the coarser ingredients of said materials, such as pebbles or rocks, or even prevent the cement from adhering to the walls of the casing, as is done with known constructions, necessitating its removal, frequently by the use of a chisel, as is well known.

To prevent injury to both the stationary and movable mixing elements, the latter are of special construction. To facilitate proper and efficient mixing, each element 2:2 is associated with the pivot 2%, being securely fastened thereto in any preferred manner, said elements being rotated by a set of vertical stub shafts 26, depending within the casing 6 and through openings in the top of cover 12, or otherwise, as presently to be described. Said elements 22, see more particularly Fig. 7, have any preferred number of reversely positioned, warped, shallow blades 6 extending from the pivot 2i, and each blade is equipped with a hinge 28, a fiat or other shaped spring being provided to permit said blades to swing in case any obstruction, as above referred to, is encountered, thus effectively preventing said blades from injury. Suitable spokes or braces 32 (Fig. 6) are provided to brace the casing or mixing chamber 6 to prevent its collapse.

Secured to each stub shaft 26 is a pinion or gear 34 by means of a key or otherwise, and each gear is in mesh with a master gear wheel 36, equipped with spokes or other members 38, said master gear being keyed at 40, or otherwise secured to the vertical shaft 18 and of course rotating therewith, the pinions 3&1: all rotating in unison as the master gear 36 is rotated by said shaft.

Attention is now directed to Figs. 1, 3.). and (3. As seen more particulai y in Figs. 3 and 6, the vertical shaft 18 has secured thereto in any desired manner a gear or pinion in mesh with a worm gear 4-4; associated in any preferred manner with a horizontal drive shaft 4:6 positioned in suitable bearings 18, which bearings are mounted as desired on the frame work of the truck 2, said shaft 46 being adapted to be driven through'a conventional or other form of reduction gearing 50, suitably housed as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, by means of the Ill) 1 and 3, a clutch '54 operated by a hand lever 56, may be used'to put into and out ofcoinmission the shait 52 associated with the motor, to actuate the vertical shaft .18 or to stop the same from rotating, and consequently the entire mechanism.

Positioned above the frame work 4, and associated therewith in any manner preferred, is a supei'structllire 58, which struci tui'e is usedto supportthe various conveyers used in lifting tliematerials or-discharging the united concrete. As seen in Figs l and 2,a set of conveyors 60, and 64k used to lift the concrete material s, said conveyors varying in sizeas shownydepending upon the kind of material to be lifted, and the percentage of ingredients to be mixed. Each of said conveyers depends within a hopper, which hoppers are indicated at '66, (S8 and 70, and if desired said hoppers may be equipped with sieves 72forsifting the materials. i p i As seen in Fig. 4:, each sieve is equipped with a preferably hinged operating'means 74, forked at"76, so "that said sieve may be placed out "of commission as desired, which fork is positionedover acrank 8 actuated by the shaft of the sprocket wheel over which the bucket carrying conveyors are positioned. Of course, this construction" is merely suggestive and may in practice be changed to suit working conditions.

Mounted in each hopper is ah'orizohtal shaft 82, associated with said hopper in any manner preferred, and a sprocket wheel of conventional"orother type is mounted on each oi'said shafts, over which the lifting means or elevators60, 62, and 64 for lifting the concrete materials are positioned, which elevators may be'of anyprefe'rred endless chain bucket type." Said elevators are securely fastened to the superstructure et by any preferred means, as shown more particularlyi'n Fig. 1, the exact structure for accomplishing this being immaterial; Said elevators areoperated in unison by a 'ineans associated with the vertical shaft 18, and of course are operated in timed relation therewith. y j

As just stated, each end breach of the conveyersor elevators is equipped with nsprocket wheel over wliich' the' endless; chain ridesyan'd theupper spio'cketw'heels are mounted upon a flexible shaft seams-so by the'useof any preferred form ofuni- 'versal joint, any preferred number being used. This feature permits-the eonveye'r's rd be positioned assnmvn or in any ether, if preferred; 1

When it is desired to provide surface eericrete, ohlysand'andconcrete are mixed in proper .relationsv To"pr*ovide"for this feature, I equip'my apparatus withna means for pu'ttingtemporarily out of commission the convey'er orelevator lifting the gravel, and to this end I providethe flexible shaft 84 with air desired fornrof clutch 86, which may be '0 conventional orother form.

Any'means for operating the conveyers '60, 62 'and I64 niayibeprovidedfbut I preferably equip theflexible shaft 84:, at any'convenient point, with a sprocket wheel 88, a

on a short shai't 92. Mounted in'bearing 96% on thesuper'structiire 4, said sprocket wheels being connected by an endless chain 96. On the vertical shaft 18 is mounted a horizontal bevel gear'98, in mesh with a vertical bevel gear 100mou11ted on the short shaft 92, said vertical shaft l8xaccordiiigly operating the elevators-in'timed relation. It will be understood of course, that this construction is suggestive nierely, and may in "practice be changed as desired.

Asthe elevators 60, 62 and 64 lift the concrete materials, they are given a preliminary mixihg-and forthis pu'i'posea hopper or chamber 102,"'sh"o'wn more particularly in Fig. 5-, is provided, which hopper may be secured to the superstri'icture 4 in any manner preferred, theexa'ct construction being immaterial. If desired, a cut ofii valve 104: may be positioned in the bottom of the hopper 102 to regulatethequantity of materials fed'to the mixing chamber 6.

As seen moreparti'euIarI in Figs. Qan'd 6, the mixingchalnb'er 6 isequipped with a discharge opening-106, positioned in an offset portion 110, either integral with the outer "Wall '8" thereof 'or associated therewith in any manner desired, a preferably straight mixed concrete deflecting wall 108 extendillg across said chaniber to insure'that said cohciete wilibe'defl'ectedinto the hole 106 and all possibility oia'ny of the material pi ling up being thus eliminate'd. The hole 106 leads to another-hopper 112, see Fig. 1, which hopper has associated therewith a discharge conduit 114i," discharging the mixed "concrete into the buckets of an elevator or cenveyer 116, similar"tothtse'previously describedbut constructedin such a manner that it may be lengthened bye-riding unit's thereto so that, if desired, "the mixed coneretenia-y be lifted tofthe'top 'fiof a building, a larger bucket carryin endless chain, "of course; being previded.

as seen mere; particularly in Fig. 1, the elet 'ato'r li'fi'is inclined but asniall angle from the vertical or perpendicular to the bass st*the apparaue, and this feature permits theexteasloirunits to be added,- without moving the apparatu H The elevator116 is were e sha t 1 see J' e 3. y meant f'thehevel gears 118*anli 120, the

similar sprocket wheel 90 being positioned Kill) llil latter being positioned on a short shaft 122 mounted in suitable bearings on the framework 2, a lower sprocket wheel being provided on the shaft 122, over which the endless chain of the elevator is positioned.

The means whereby additional units may be supplied to the elevator 116 is shown more particularly in Fig. 8 and comprises a cutaway projection 124 bolted or otherwise detachably associated with the sprocketwhecl 126 to receive the same, said portions being of any preferred shape, and bolted to the superstructure 4, the socket supporting the upper sprocket of the elevator, as shown in Fig. 8. When it is desired to increase the length of said conveyer or elevator, the socket 126 is unbolted from the projection 124 and as many units added to obtain the proper length so that the mixed concrete may be lifted to the top of the building if desired, a longer endless chain with buckets being of course provided. The additional units may be detachably secured to the building by bolts or any preferred type of hangers, either of conventional or other form as desired.

The elevator 116 may of course discharge the mixed concrete directly to the point desired, but if it is preferred to carry said concrete to some distant point, an additional discharge conveyer 128, of the same type as those previously described, may be provided, the elevator 116 discharging its contents into a chute 130, secured to the superstructure 4, which chute has a hole or pipe 132 for discharging the mixed concreteonto the conveyer 128, the extreme end of which is preferably supported upon a pair of standards or props 134, placed wherever needed to support the outer end of said conveyer. If desired, a hopper or chute 186, with a jointed pipe 138, may be associated in any desired manner with the conveyer 128, or may be anchored onto the props or standards 184 as shown, the pipe 138 being used to dischargethe concrete into the wall of the building or into any other desired place.

To provide for swinging the conveyer 128 in any arc or position desired, and at the same time to operate the same in timed relation with. the conveyer 116, a special construction must be provided. See Fig. 9. To this end the conveyer 116 has its upper sprocket wheel equipped with a bevel gear 140 in mesh with a similar gear 142 secured to the 'liexible extensible shaft 144, equipped with the universal joints 146 of any preferred type, the shaft 144 being mounted in suitable bearings, as shown, in the superstructure 4, the exact construction being immaterial and hence not described, in detail, bevel gears 147 and 148 being in mesh so I that the conveyer 128 may be driven in timed relation with the conveyer 1.16.

As will be clear, when additional units are provided to lift the concrete to different heights, the conveyer 128, together with the gears, shaft 144 and socket 126 are lifted bodily and swung about as needed, and anchored by means of suitable hangers or the like to any part of the building under construction or to the scaffolding associated therewith, so that the mixed concrete may be readily discharged at the desired points, and that without moving the apparatus.

As will now be clear, the concrete materials are thoroughly agitated and mixed dry for a portion of the rotative stroke of the rotatable bottom 14 of the mixing chamber 6. For the remainder of said stroke said materials are mixed wet. To this end a water pump 150 equipped with a suction pipe 152 is positioned on the truck at any convenient point, and is operated by the chain or other drive 154 from the shaft 46. A discharge pipe 156, leading to a perforated or other connection 158 for spraying the water into the mixing chamber 6 is provided. Any other means ,for wetting the mixture may of course be provided.

The operation of my apparatus should now be clear. The truck being placed in proper position, the hoppers 66, 68 and are lowered in position, and the conveyer propped or secured in the place desired.

The. concrete materials are then dumped into said hopper and power applied to the apparatus by using the hand lever 56 to throw in the clutch 54, setting the worm gear 44 in motion, said gear through the pinion 42 rotating the vertical shaft 18.

The shaft 18 rotates the bottom 14 through the braces or operating members 16. At the same time said shaft rotates the master gear wheel 36, rotating in unison the pinions 34 to rotate the mixing or agitating elements 22. Said worm gear also rotates the shaft 46 which in turn actuates the bevel gears 118 and 120 to rotate the shaft 122 to actuate the discharge conveyer 128; and the pump 150 is operated by the chain 154.

As the shaft 18 is rotated, the gears 98 and 100 are actuated, thus operating the chain 96 to rotate the shaft 84 which operates the lifting means or elevators 60, 62 and 64, the concrete materials being deposited into the preliminary =mixing chamber and hopper 102. The discharge elevator 116 actuates the conveyer 128 through the gearing and shaft 144. p

The valve 104 being opened, the materials are dropped into the mixing chamber 6, where they are carried by the bottom 14 and are thoroughly agitated and mixed dry by the mixers 20 and 22, until the perforated pipe 158 is reached, after which they are again agitated and, mixed in a wet state, insuring that a perfect concrete mixture is formed.

The wet mixed concrete, by reason of the straightwall or partition 108, is discharged through the chute 1106, pipe 114 and into the buckets of the discharge elevator .1116, said for receiving the materials ,to ,be' mixed, an annular ca-sing, a mixing chamber associated .w-ith said casing, i a set .of conveyers v for elevating said materials into said mixingcham- 2o laer,.stationary and rotary mixing elements in said; casing, said rotary elements being positioned between, said stat onary elements, means a s soc1ate d w th said casing ,Whereby the mixed concrete may be moved .dry for a ,portion of the circumference of {a 611K318,

means associated with; said casing whereby said mixture may vbe moved wetwfor the remaining portion of said i circumference, a set 1 of i conreye 0 r ce ving. nd. e ev ting. th

. vet mixed concrete to the point ofdischarges nd means associated ith said mixer for operating I the moyable parts in; timed relation.

2. In apor-table automatic concrete mixer,

40 ;in combination, a frame ork, a.-c asing mounted .on. said framework, a ClIGHlZIIJIIOX able element associatedwitlr said :casing, stationary and movable mixing elements associated.witlrsaid casing, said rotary elements being positioned between said stationary ele ments, means associated with said casing and said frameworkwhereby the concrete materials maybe, given a lpreliminary mixture,

means for; mixingsaid n' aterials "both dry and Wet, and-means assoc ated with said fran'iework'for operating the movable parts of said mixer in timed relation.

In an automatic concretemixer, in combination, automaticmeans for giving the concrete materials a ,preliminary drynnixture, means associated w th sa1dfirst means for rotating saididrymixture, stationary and imovable means for mixing. said diy inix ture as it isr-rotated, said movablemeans" being positioned between saidstationary means,

,ineans for mixing said dry mixture ,wyith Water as it is rotated, and means for moving each of said means in timed relation.

AL. In an automatic concretemixer, in ,com-

able bottom. forsaid easingrf or rnoving the concrete. mixture, stationary and rotatable mixing. elements in .5 said casing, said rotatableleleinents being positioned between said ,vpositio ned .sets of circular stationary andmoving mixing elements associated withlsaid casing and automatic i'nea ns for moving sai d .marmg e m i'. Inaconcrete mixerrin combination, a

.5 eleyatondischarging the concrete-into the {stationary elements, a pinion associated .Withhopper 130, I chute 132 and onto the con eathotsaidrotatable elements, a inastergear veyer 184;, after which it is .,discharged "for rotating each of said pinions, means for through the pipe 188 to the point desired. etting said mixture, and means for rnoying While Lhave thus described my invention v,said moving parts in. timed relation.

in with great particularity, it WillbG clear automaticconcrete, mixer compris- .thatthesame may;be n1odified throughout ing in combination an,annular stationary a wide range. Iv accordingly do notpropose timingtc lprising' 'inner andaouter, concento be limitedto theexactjdetails of construc- ,trically-. positioned lwalls a movingabottom tion jshown and described but reserye the betweensaid alls, av receptacle forreceiv- ]5 right in practice to make any an d. all niodiang material to deposit the same on said botfications thereof. that iallawithin the scope tom, and sets stationary and, movable mixof the appended claims. ,ingelementsbeiriQ alternately positioned so u I claim as! my invention: t that they are adapted to coact for thoroughly 1. A continuousautomatic concrete mixer mixing said material. 20 comprising in combination a set .of hoppers 6..-A concrete mixer comprising incombistationary, annular casing having concentricin w lls. a ing tea mate aid t l automati -;H for de siti e t-r materials on said bottom alternately .po siti'oned {sets of Stationary andmoyable mix timeie em t iassocl t wit a -casi g t v a ting i l sai mate and. automatic n eans for .;d scharg ng. the mixed t :material n'eug o t -Wa f; sa easi 8. Aponcrete mixer comprising a stationi ary annular casing, an annular bottom plate 3 movable ins-aid casing a cover for said Ca n me f de iveri s ecr ema L rial into said casing, a circular series of, a]

. terna e y pos t n d s ti a' y, and11 r1 m xers 111 sa d casing foi mixlng said mate;f

rials, rotary means positioned aboveand {ZISSQCliLiZBClQWlLll said movable vmixers for op erating them, in time relation .rneans associated with said; casing whereby the mixed ,material may ,be discharged; thereirom and means positioned centrally of said casing h r by h m v ng parts-may be moved in .timedrelation. I

=9. I ;An apparatus of the c class idescrill d I comprising an annular ;Inixing chamber, e10

sures for tlie top and bottom of said chamber, means whereby material 1 nay;.be deposited i in said chamber, mixed, and dishalg th r fro a p ra ty t l ernately i posl t o e sta i na y an trotary aniiiers forv:

accomplishing.- said mixing and means for .de ivemng Wa er; nt ysai mate li t a 'Pa r mot ro t depos Qfsa ma ia in i hination, aistationary. annular: casing, a;mov-

in combination, a stationary annular mixing chamber, means for closing the bottom and top of said chamber, a hopper associated with said top, means for depositing material into said hopper and thence to said chamber, means associated with said casing for moving the material deposited therein in a circular path, alternately positioned stationary and moving means for agitating said material at all points as it is moved, means for discharging the mixed material from said chamber, and means for elevating the mixed material to a distant form of discharge, said last means being inclined at a comparatively small angle from the perpendicular to said chamber.

11. In a concrete mixer, in combination, a mixing chamber, automatic means for depositing concrete materials in said chamber, alternately positibned stationary and movable mixing means in said casing for thoroughly mixing said materials in a dry state and then in a wet state, sets of elevating and discharging means whereby. the mixed materials may be discharged to any point desired, a motor, a pump operated by said motor,-means associated with said pump for discharging Water into said chamher, a gear reduction unit associated with said motor and said pump, and means associated with said motor for operating the moving parts of said mixer in timed relation.

12. In a concrete mixer, in combination, a mixing chamber, a set of hoppers for receiving severally the concrete materials, elevating means for each of said hoppers for elevating said materials and depositing them into said chamber, means associated with one of said elevating means whereby it may be temporarily placed out of commission, means associated with each of said hoppers whereby one or more of said hoppers may be placed out of commission, and a set of detachable appliances for elevating the mixed material to any point desired, so that additional appliances may be added thereto for said purpose.

13. A mixing chamber adapted for special use in connection with a concrete mixer, said chamber comprising an annular casing, top and bottom closures for said casing, and a alternately positioned set of stationary and movable mixing elements in said casing, said mixing elements comprising single shallow curved blades, and reversely positioned shallow curved blades.

14. In a concrete mixing apparatus, a mixing chamber, a set of rotatable mixing elements positioned in said chamber, and a mechanical movement for said elements, said movement comprising an annular gear, and a set of pinions associated with each of said elements and adapted to be operated by said gear.

15. In an apparatus of the class described, in combination, a mixing chamber, means for depositing materials to be mixed into said chamber, means for thoroughly mixing saidmaterials in said chamber, means for adding water to the mixture and again mixing the wet mixture, means for discharging the wet mixture from said mixing chanr her, and detachable and attachable means, positioned at such an angle with reference to the apparatus that additional units may be added whereby said wet mixture may be elevated to any point desired.

16. In a conveyor adapted for special use in connection with a. concrete mixing apparatus, a lower sprocket adapted to be journaled on said apparatus, an upper sprocket also adapted to be positioned over said sprockets and be moved thereby, and means associated with said upper sprocket, whereby it may be detached and raised, and a conveyer belt of greater length substituted so as to extend the height of the material to be lifted.

17. A sieve mechanism adapted for special use in connection with a concrete mixing apparatus comprising in combination a hopper, a sieve slidable over said hopper, a pitman pivoted to said sieve, and fork means associated with said pitman and a moving part of said apparatus whereby said sieve may optionally be used or not.

18. In a concrete mixing apparatus, in combination, a truck, a mixing chamber on said truck, sets of appliances for automatically depositing cement material into said chamber, appliances associated with said chamber for mixing said material both wet and dry, means for supplying water to said mixing chamber, sets of appliances for conveying the wet mixture to any desired point, means for operating said appliances in timed relation, and means associated with certain of said appliances for optionally placing them into commission or out of commission.

19.111 a concrete mixing apparatus, in combination, a mixing chamber, a set of conveyors for depositing concrete materials into said chamber, a set of alternately positioned. stationary and rotatable appliances for agitating and mixing said materials, a set of conveyers for discharging said mixture to a distant point, and means associated with said last conveyers for lengthening or shortening the same so that the position of the discharge point may be varied.

20. A mixing chamber for a concrete mixer comprising a rigidly mounted annular casing equipped with inlet and discharge openings, a movable bottom in said casing adapted to carry concrete material from its said outlet opening to said discharge open ng, a set of rotatable mixing elements depending into said chamber, and a set of stationary mixing elements positioned between said rotatable elements whereby a thorough mixture of said material is assured.

21. A mixing chamber for a concrete mixer comprising in combination an annular casing, a bottom for said'casing adapted to be rotated between the walls thereof, a circular series of alternately positioned concrete mixing and agitating elements depending into said casing and adapted to be rotated in close proximity with the rotating bottom thereof, and a circular series of stationary mixing elements associated with each wall of said chamber and juxtaposed to said rotating elements. 7

A concrete mixer having a set of appliances for selectively lifting concrete material into a mixing chamber equipped with, sets of alternately positioned stationary and movable mixing elements whereby said. materials are thoroughly agitated and mixed both wet and dry, means for conveying said materials in the circumference of a circle from the point of entry to the point of discharge, and sets of extensible means for lifting the concrete to any point desired.

23. A portable concrete mixing apparatus comprising in combination a truck, a frame work mounted on said truck, a concrete mixing chamber associated with said frame work, a super structure mounted on said frame work, a vertical rotatable shaft extending through said chamber and mounted onsaid frame work, a rotatable bottom for said chamber, means connecting said bottom and said shaft whereby the latter is adapted to rotate said bottom, a set of rotary mixing devices in said chamber, a pinion associated with each of said devices, an annular internal gear in mesh with each of said pinions' adapted to be rotated by said shaft, and sets a of appliances for lifting concrete material into said chamber and for discharging the mixed concrete to any convenient point.

A concrete mixer equipped, with a mixing chamber in which concrete materials are adapted to be mixed, means for lifting said materials into said mixing chamber, means for mixing said materials in said chamber, an extensible mixed concrete lifter discharge means positioned at a small angle with relation to the perpendicular of said mixer, a second discharge lifting and carrying means adapted to receive the mixed concrete from said last named means, means associated with both of said last mentioned means for operating the same in timed relation, said last means having a set of universal joints associated therewith so that both of said discharge means may be swung about in any desired manner.

25. A concrete mixing apparatus equipped with means for mixing concrete, a set of conveyers for carrying away the mixed concrete, a set of bevel gears for operating said conveyers in timed relation, a shaft for connecting certain of said gears, and a set of universal joints associated with said shaft whereby said gears will be made to function irrespective of the manner in which said conveyers are shifted.

26. In a concrete apparatus, in combination, a set of hoppers for receiving the concrete materials, aframe work, a superstructure associated with said frame work, a mixing chamber securely mounted on said frame work, a set of conveyers associated With said hoppers and said superstructure for lifting said materialsinto said chamber, an upper shaft. associated with said conveyers for operating them in unison, a set of universal joints associated with said upper shaft, a

lower shaft for each of said conveyers and mounted in each of said hoppers, and means associated with said mixing chamber for conveying away. the mixed concrete to any point desired.

27. In a concrete mixing apparatus, in combination, a framework, a super structure mounted in said frame work, a mixing chamber associated with said frame work, a vertical shaft mounted centrally of said chamber, concrete material lifting means associated with said super structure for lifting said material into said chamber, means asso ciated with said shaft and said lifting means whereby said shaft functions to operate said lifting means, a set of mixing devices depending from said super structure and positioned within said chamber, a pinion for each of said devices, a master gear wheel hinged to said vertical shaft and inmesh. with each of said pinions, means associated with the lower portion of said shaft for rotating said shaft, a set of power actuating appliances for operating said last means and means associated with said mixing chamber for conveying the mixed concrete to a distant point. a

28. In a portable concrete mixing apparatus, in combination, automatic motor operated means for lifting and mixing concrete materials, a set of mixed concrete discharge conveyers for conveying said concrete to any point desired, means associated with each of said conveyers whereby one of said conveyers may be extended and anchored to a building or other point, and means associated withboth of said conveyers whereby both may be swung about in any desired direction to provide for said anchoring and so that said mixed concrete may be elevated and discharged at any desired elevated point or at any desired distance.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

MILTON F. HORST. 

